Former DEA agent welcomed as new dean for the Center for Public Safety

Seminole State College of Florida welcomes Dr. Alex Toth as the new dean of the Center for Public Safety.

Toth joined the College in August 2020 following his time as an assistant professor at the University of Tampa in the department of criminology and criminal justice. Prior to his time in academia, Toth built up an extensive background in law enforcement and leadership in the U.S. Army, the Orlando Police Department and over 25 years with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). While at the DEA, he worked his way up from a special agent to a senior assistant regional director where he managed five foreign DEA country offices.

Toth has completed certifications with both the U.S. Army Military Police School and the Central Florida Police Academy. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a master’s degree in criminal justice and completed his Ph.D. in criminology from the University of South Florida. He published his first book “The Complexities of International Drug Trafficking: Essential Insights from a Pracademic” this year. He is also trilingual, speaking Spanish and Portuguese in addition to English.

“I am thrilled to be a part of Seminole State’s goal to advance student learning and development,” said Toth. “The College’s dedication to the academic and practical training of our current and future public safety professionals is critical for the betterment of our community. It is my goal to build upon the tradition of excellence that has been established by the staff and faculty of the Center for Public Safety, and to facilitate the advancement of the center's various academic and practical training programs.”

In his new role as the dean of the Center for Public Safety, Toth will oversee operational matters related to student learning, instruction, program and curriculum development, program accreditation compliance and more. He will serve as a liaison with internal and external constituents to the center and set consistent and strong academic standards for the College’s criminal justice, emergency medical services and fire science programs.